Common Dutch Prepositions: Exercises and Their Uses

Mastering prepositions is a fundamental step in achieving fluency in any language, and Dutch is no exception. Prepositions are small but mighty words that help us describe relationships between different elements within a sentence. Whether you're indicating location, direction, time, or manner, the correct use of prepositions can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Dutch. This page is dedicated to helping you understand and practice the most common Dutch prepositions through a variety of engaging exercises. By familiarizing yourself with these essential words and their uses, you'll gain confidence in your ability to form more accurate and nuanced sentences. In these exercises, you'll encounter prepositions such as "in," "op," "aan," and "bij," among others. Each exercise is designed to provide context and practical usage examples, allowing you to see how these prepositions function in everyday Dutch. From fill-in-the-blank sentences to translation challenges, the exercises will test your understanding and offer immediate feedback to help you improve. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an advanced learner looking to refine your skills, these exercises will provide valuable practice and deepen your comprehension of Dutch prepositions. Dive in and start exploring the many ways these small words can make a big difference in your Dutch language journey.

Exercise 1

1. Ik ga morgen *naar* mijn oma (direction).

2. De kat ligt *onder* de tafel (location).

3. Hij woont *bij* zijn ouders (proximity).

4. We praten vaak *over* politiek (subject of discussion).

5. Zij gaat *met* de trein naar haar werk (means of transport).

6. De hond loopt *achter* de auto (position).

7. Ik werk hier *sinds* 2015 (starting time).

8. We ontmoeten elkaar *om* 3 uur (specific time).

9. Hij is boos *op* mij (emotion towards someone).

10. De kinderen spelen *in* de tuin (location).

Exercise 2

1. Ik ga *naar* het park (preposition for direction).

2. De kat slaapt *op* de tafel (preposition for position).

3. Hij woont *in* Nederland (preposition for location).

4. De hond rent *achter* de bal (preposition for following something).

5. Ze wachten *voor* de bioscoop (preposition indicating in front of).

6. We zijn *bij* het station (preposition indicating proximity).

7. Hij komt *uit* Duitsland (preposition indicating origin).

8. Het boek ligt *onder* het bed (preposition for beneath).

9. Ze zitten *naast* elkaar (preposition indicating beside).

10. Ik heb het cadeau *voor* mijn moeder gekocht (preposition indicating intended recipient).

Exercise 3

1. De kat zit *op* de tafel (preposition indicating position).

2. Hij gaat *naar* school met de fiets (preposition for direction).

3. Het boek ligt *onder* het bed (preposition indicating location).

4. Wij wandelen *door* het park (preposition indicating through).

5. Ze woont *bij* haar ouders (preposition indicating proximity).

6. De hond rent *achter* de bal aan (preposition indicating position behind).

7. Hij werkt *in* een groot kantoor (preposition indicating inside).

8. We hebben afgesproken *om* drie uur (preposition for time).

9. Ze fietst *langs* de rivier (preposition indicating alongside).

10. Hij staat altijd *voor* het raam te kijken (preposition indicating position in front).